Catau History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Catau

What does the name Catau mean?

The ancient Scottish name Catau was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The original bearer of the name lived in Norfolk, England; or the name may also be from Chetel, an Old Norse and Old English given name.

Early Origins of the Catau family

The surname Catau was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Catau family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Catau research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1403, 1597 and 1633 are included under the topic Early Catau History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Catau Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were hardly exact sciences in Medieval Scotland. Sound, rather than any set of rules, was the basis for spellings, so one name was often spelled different ways even within a single document. Spelling variations are thus an extremely common occurrence in Medieval Scottish names. Catau has been spelled Catto, Cattoch, Cattow, Kitto, Citto, Chatto, Chattoch, Chetto, Cato and many more.

Early Notables of the Catau family

More information is included under the topic Early Catau Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Catau family

Such hard times forced many to leave their homeland in search of opportunity across the Atlantic. Many of these families settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. The ancestors of many of these families have rediscovered their roots in the 20th century through the establishment of Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. Among them: James Catto who settled in Maryland in 1775; John Catto arrived in Philadelphia in 1754; William Catto arrived in Nevis in 1775.

The Catau Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Omnibus amicus
Motto Translation: A friend to everyone.